NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals

Luther posted a record of 2-1 after the first day of the NWCA NCAA III Cliff Keen National Duals.

No. 12 Luther lost to Mount Union 22-17 in the opening round. Mount Union won five consecutive matches after forfeiting at 125 and held a 22-6 advantage. No. 8 Jayden DeVilbiss (184) and Nick Pearch (197) both recorded major decisions, while Conner Herman (285) tallied a 7-1 victory to close out the match.

In the first round of the consolation side of the bracket, Luther crushed New York University 37-6. The Norse picked up bonus points thanks to falls by No. 7 Garrett Wangsness (125) and No. 6 Evan Obert (133), and major decisions by Blake Letney (157) and Herman (285). Jarid Groth (174) also recorded a 15-0 tech fall.

Luther faced No. 9 Coe College in the second round of the consolation bracket and posted a 22-18 victory. The Norse jumped out to a 14-0 lead thanks to major decisions by Wangsness (125) and Dakota Gray (141). Obert (133) posted a 4-2 decision over No. 5 Jimmy Gotto and John Leibforth (149) defeated Peyton Wagner 4-0.

Coe responded with three consecutive victories and held a 15-14 lead heading into the 184-pound bout. DeVilbiss gave the Norse the lead for good thanks to a 15-0 tech fall over Ryan Sheldon. Herman sealed the victory with a 6-1 decision over Cory Becker.

Tomorrow the Norse will face No. 3 Wabash College at 9:00 a.m. with the winner advancing to the fifth place match. The loser will wrestle for seventh place. Last weekend, Wabash defeated Luther 26-15 at the Knox Duals.

Day Two Recap

Luther finished the two-day Division III National Duals in seventh place after defeating Mount Union 29-9 this afternoon. The win was a bit of sweet revenge as Mount Union handed Luther an opening round loss of 22-17.

With the score 13-9 in favor of the Norse, Nick Jazdzewski (174), DeVilbiss (184), Tyler Walls (197) and Herman (285) posted four consecutive wins to secure the victory.

The Norse will return to Iowa Conference dual meet action on Thursday, Jan. 16 when they will host top-ranked Wartburg College. This match will take place at Decorah High School at 7:15 p.m. Decorah will be wrestling Waukon, and both matches will be taking place at the same time.